There will be plenty of de ja vu when Ipswich meet Liverpool in the second game of the 2024/25 Premier League season. The Reds find themselves in the Saturday lunchtime kick off once again, so bemoaned by departed manager Jurgen Klopp while he was in charge, and once more face a promoted team on the opening day, as they did in every seasonal kick off between 2019 and 2022. Ipswich, meanwhile, face the same opponents as in their previous Premier League match, a 5-0 defeat to compound their relegation in 2002.
Liverpool stuttered the last time they travelled to a newly-promoted rival to begin their campaign, drawing 2-2 at Craven Cottage two seasons ago, so Ipswich will be determined to bely their best odds of 15/2 with BetVictor and Betfred, with the visitors long odds-on at 4/11 top price with bet365 and Ladbrokes.
Ipswich vs Liverpool Tips
Tip #1 – Cody Gakpo to Score First @ 11/2 with bet365
Having finished tied atop the oddly truncated Golden Boot standings at Euro 2024, Cody Gakpo will be determined to make this his true breakout season at Anfield. He starred for the Netherlands in Germany from his most natural position on the left wing, and after generally filling a more central berth under Klopp, Gakpo may well be permitted a starting role on the flanks for his club side this term under new manager Arne Slot.
Last season did not go too badly for the former PSV attacker, though the Premier League was more his nemesis than his friends. He scored as many goals (8) in 18 cup and European matches as he did in 35 league appearances. That he generally played in midfield domestically would have contributed to that, but with Slot likely to grant him his favoured position, expect a great output this term. Ipswich’s left back Leif Davis could be a standout performer for the Tractor Boys this term, but on the right, Harry Clarke is injured, and new signing Ben Johnson could not break through at West Ham.
If Gakpo is to stamp his authority this season, he will need to hit the ground running with this being an opportune opening fixture. Take the 11/2 with bet365 to score the first goal, and consider doubling it up with this…
Tip #2 – Liverpool to win 3-1 @ 10/1 with bet365
This double pays out at just over 70/1, so this could make your opening weekend a highly profitable one. As Fulham proved a couple of years ago, it is possible to catch Liverpool sleeping early on in the season, and this being an early enough game in the Arne Slot project, the more likely area of the pitch they may be vulnerable is in defence. The lack of Martin Zubimendi, or any other signing, in holding midfield is a concern, in particular.
Ipswich were the Championship’s top scorers and have now permanently signed Omari Hutchinson from Chelsea, so they can still prove dangerous. However, Liverpool’s susceptibility to any potent Kieran McKenna plans should not be terminal in this match, having looked especially sharp in pre-season. Ipswich themselves conceded more goals in the Championship than 16th placed Sunderland last term, and they will be measured more in their step up by improving that metric than attempting to maintain their ruthlessness. At this juncture, it is Liverpool who are expected to be ruthless, and a comfortable enough 3-1 scoreline is suggested in what could be one of the more entertaining games of the first weekend.
Ipswich Town Performances So Far
Pre-season form is notoriously difficult to gauge, but it has been a fairly productive period for Ipswich taking on continental opponents. They also lost just two of their last 17 matches in the second tier, and will, whatever the result, celebrate the occasion of their first Premier League match for 22 years.
Ipswich Town Pre-Season Results
Ipswich 1-2 Dusseldorf
Ipswich 1-0 Hoffenheim (Neutral Ground)
Ipswich 1-0 Nice
Liverpool Performances So Far
The Reds have been slightly busier in pre-season, taking in three games in the USA before a pair of back-to-back home friendlies at the weekend. They have emerged unbeaten, with confidence boosting wins over Arsenal and Manchester United, though faith in new man Slot will only be rubber stamped if the results are confirmed by their league form.
Liverpool Pre-Season Results
Liverpool 1-0 Real Betis
Liverpool 2-1 Arsenal
Manchester United 0-3 Liverpool
Liverpool 4-1 Sevilla
Liverpool 0-0 Las Palmas